Public Protective Services - Level 3

Streamed pathways

Over the course of the 2 year programme you have the choice of 2 different pathways depending on your career goals - the Blue pathway if you are interested in a career in the Emergency Services, or the Green pathway if you wish to join a Military Service.

You will study the following compulsory units (whether you are on the Blue or Green pathway):

• Prepare for a Career in the Uniformed Services
• Develop Aspects of Physical Fitness
• Develop Leadership Skills
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Values and Standards
• Conflict Management
• Mental and Physical Wellbeing
• Water Based Outdoor Activities
• Understanding Discipline
• Volunteering in the Uniformed Services
• Telecommunications
• ICT in the Uniformed Services

You will study these specialist units if you choose the Blue (Emergency Services) pathway:

• Collaboration Between the Uniformed Services
• Emergency Planning
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Sports Coaching
• UK Legal System
• Influence of UK government, international organisations and the media on the Uniformed Services

You will study these specialist units if you choose the Green (Military Services) pathway:

• War and Conflict
• Security Procedures
• Hierarchy and Routine
• Map Reading and Navigation
• Land Based Outdoor Activity
• Outdoor Adventurous Activities

Physical training

Physical training is a mandatory part of the curriculum and is designed to help you increase your levels of fitness in order to ensure you have the ability to successfully participate in a Uniformed Services fitness test. This will include running, circuit training and fitness training in a weights room. You will have free membership of Bodyworks Fitness during college hours.

The course may also include:

• Lectures from various guest speakers
• Trips to service establishments, such as local fire, police and ambulance stations, police firearms etc
• Opportunities for adventure training in Wales and south of France (depending on availability)
• Mock entry assessment days
• Sponsored challenges

Additional costs

There are some optional costs for this course for trips and awards. All costs are approximate and will be confirmed closer to the time of the event. If you are eligible for financial support, we may be able to contribute towards these costs. Please click here for more information about financial support.

You will need:

• 5 or more GCSEs at grade 4 or higher including English and maths or;

• A relevant full level 2 qualification studied at CWA or another further education provider. This does not include level 2 courses studied at school alongside GCSEs.

You will be invited to an information session to help us ensure the course is right for you.

How long is this course?

2 years

When does this course start?

02/09/2026

How many hours / days per week is this course?

Full-time courses at CWA are generally 3 - 4 days per week (though you may be in for an extra day if you are resitting English and / or Maths). The college day is typically longer than a day at school and students will need to plan their individual study in their free time (including individual study hours which are recorded at college in the Learning Resource Centre or other study areas). Work experience will be a key component of your course and most students will complete a minimum of 60 hours per academic year (on top of their college hours), depending on the course they are studying. CWA has a dedicated team of work placement co-ordinators to support you with this.

Age	Cost
16-18	Free*
19+	£6,600

* Some of our courses may have additional costs to cover trips, unform and equipment. These costs will be confirmed to you at enrolment.

Fee information

Though this course is free for those aged 16-18, there may be additional costs related to the programme, such as additional equipment and uniform, educational trips and work placement costs. Full details will be sent to applicants before enrolment.

Find all the information you need about course fees and financial help below.

Information on Fees and Financial Help

Adult (19+) learners

Depending on your age, course, educational history and personal circumstances, there may be options available for you to receive a course fully-funded by the government. Our fee calculator will help give you an idea on whether you'll be able to have your course fee waived or covered by an Advanced Learner Loan.

Complete our fee calculator

Learners with an active Education, Health & Care Plan

If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and have an active Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), any course up to and including level 3 will be fully-funded by the government. This means you will not have a course fee to pay and any equipment considered essential to complete your course will be provided by the college.

What qualification will I achieve?

NCFE Level Extended Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services (qualification aim: 60187943)

How is my course assessed?

Assessment is based on continuous appraisal of performance in the various components. Course work execution, group work contribution and fulfilment of practical assignments. You will be assessed through a combination of theory and practical work - e.g. leadership, teamwork skills and drills. This is a two-year programme and Extended Diploma courses have three achievement points. You will work towards the Subsidiary Diploma qualification in the first year of the course and will have the opportunity to work towards either the Diploma or the Extended Diploma in the second year.

How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?

Our level 3 vocational courses qualify for UCAS tariff points to apply for university in the same way as A-Levels. This course is an extended diploma which is delivered over two years and you could achieve up to 168 UCAS points (which is equivalent to three A* grades at A-Level).

BTEC extended diplomas are graded as a pass, merit, distinction or distinction star (with distinction star being the highest grade) with the overall grade being a combination of three grades which represent an aggregation of your performance on mandatory and optional units on the course.

The following table gives some examples on the amount of UCAS points you can achieve on a BTEC extended diploma:

BTEC grade	UCAS Points
3x D*	168
2x D*, D	160
D*DD	152
DDD	144
DDM	128
DMM	112
MMM	96
MMP	80
MPP	64
PPP	48

Depending on your circumstances, you may study a smaller qualification, such as a subsidiary diploma (for example, if you only complete one year) or general diploma which may carry less UCAS tariff points.

You can find more details and examples on the UCAS tariff points calculator here.